以

以 (Kangxi radical 9, 人+3 in traditional Chinese, Japanese and Korean, 人+2 in simplified Chinese, 5 strokes in traditional Chinese, Japanese and Korean, 4 strokes in simplified Chinese, cangjie input 女戈人 (VIO), four-corner 2810₀, composition ⿲𠄌丶人 or ⿲⿱丨㇀丶人)

• 似, 㕽, 姒, 拟, 泤, 𤤳, 䎣, 鉯, 䬮, 𥙩, 𢜁, 𭔈, 𭙪, 𭂄, 𫠪, 𬿠, 苡, 笖, 𠀳

• い (Hiragana character derived from Man'yōgana)
• 𛀆

• KangXi: page 94, character 1
• Dai Kanwa Jiten: character 388
• Dae Jaweon: page 199, character 1
• Hanyu Da Zidian (first edition): volume 1, page 105, character 7
• Unihan data for U+4EE5

Historical forms of the character 以
Shang		Western Zhou	Warring States		Shuowen Jiezi (compiled in Han)	Liushutong (compiled in Ming)
Bronze inscriptions	Oracle bone script	Bronze inscriptions	Chu slip and silk script	Qin slip script	Small seal script	Transcribed ancient scripts
Oracle bone script j31039 j31040 j31041 j31042 j31043 j31044 j31045 j31046 j31047 j31048 j31049 j31050 j31051 j31052 j31053 j31054 j31055 j31056 j31057 j31058 j31059 j31060 j31061 j31062 j31063 j31064 j31065 j31066 j31067 j31068 j31069 j31070 j31071 j31072 j31073 j31074 j31075 Bronze inscriptions b21167 b21168 b21169 b21170 b21171 b21172 b21173 b21174 b21175 b21176 b21177 b21178 b21179 b21180 b21181 b21182 b21183 b21184 b21185 b21186 b21187 b21188 b21189 b21190 b21191 b21192 b21193 b21194 b21195 b21196 b21197 b21198 b21199 b21200 b21201 b21202 b21203 b21204 b21205 b21206 b21207 b21208 b21209 b21210 b21211 b21212 b21213 b21214 b21215 b21216 b21217 b21218 Small seal script s11013 Transcribed ancient scripts L34134 L34135 L34136 L13617 L13618 L13619 L13620 L13621 L13622 L13623 L13624 L13625 L13626 L13627 L13628 L13616
References: Mostly from Richard Sears' Chinese Etymology site (authorisation), which in turn draws data from various collections of ancient forms of Chinese characters, including: Shuowen Jiezi (small seal), Jinwen Bian (bronze inscriptions), Liushutong (Liushutong characters) and Yinxu Jiaguwen Bian (oracle bone script).

Pictogram (象形) – a person (人) carrying something. It is often simplified to 㠯 in pre-Qin ancient scripts.

From Proto-Sino-Tibetan *la-k (“to take; to fetch”) (Schuessler, 2007; STEDT). Cognate with 式 (OC *hljɯɡ, “model; form; rule”), 試 (OC *hljɯɡs, “to test; to try”).

以

1. a preposition that expresses a boundary in time, orientation, direction or quantity

   以前  ―  yǐqián  ―  before

   自古以來／自古以来  ―  zìgǔ yǐlái  ―  since time immemorial

   長安東路以西／长安东路以西  ―  cháng'ān dōng lù yǐxī  ―  west of Chang’an East Road

   價格在一千元以上。 [MSC, trad.]
   价格在一千元以上。 [MSC, simp.]

   Jiàgé zài yīqiān yuán yǐshàng. [Pinyin]

   The price is above one thousand yuan.

2. by; with; by means of

   以少勝多／以少胜多  ―  yǐ shǎo shèng duō  ―  to defeat (enemy troops) with a force inferior in number

   以德報怨／以德报怨  ―  yǐdébàoyuàn  ―  to return good for evil (literally, “to recompense injury with kindness”)

   以賣衣服為生／以卖衣服为生  ―  yǐ mài yīfú wéi shēng  ―  to make a living by selling clothes

   以大局為重／以大局为重  ―  yǐ dàjú wéi zhòng  ―  to focus on the big picture (literally, “to treat the big picture as [something] serious”)

   彼此以同樣的態度對待對方。 [MSC, trad.]
   彼此以同样的态度对待对方。 [MSC, simp.]

   Bǐcǐ yǐ tóngyàng de tàidù duìdài duìfāng. [Pinyin]

   One another treating an opposing side with the same attitude.

   • 投我以木瓜，報之以瓊琚。 [Pre-Classical Chinese, trad.]
     投我以木瓜，报之以琼琚。 [Pre-Classical Chinese, simp.]

     From: The Classic of Poetry, c. 11^th – 7^th centuries BCE, translated based on James Legge's version

     Tóu wǒ yǐ mùguā, bào zhī yǐ qióngjū. [Pinyin]

     There was presented to me a papaya,
     And I returned for it a beautiful Ju-gem.

   • 3月21日，公司正式宣布，向文萊衛生部捐贈價值100萬美元的醫療物資和設備，以實際行動支持文萊抗疫。 [MSC, trad.]
     3月21日，公司正式宣布，向文莱卫生部捐赠价值100万美元的医疗物资和设备，以实际行动支持文莱抗疫。 [MSC, simp.]

     From: 孙广勇; 赵益普 (7 April 2020), ““我们对加强文中互利合作充满信心”——中企为促进文莱经济稳定和发展作出贡献”, in People's Daily, page 17

     3 yuè 21 rì, gōngsī zhèngshì xuānbù, xiàng Wénlái wèishēng bù juānzèng jiàzhí 100 wàn měiyuán de yīliáo wùzī hé shèbèi, yǐ shíjì xíngdòng zhīchí wénlái kàngyì. [Pinyin]

     (please add an English translation of this example)

3. according to

   以大小排列  ―  yǐ dàxiǎo páiliè  ―  to arrange by size

   物以類聚／物以类聚  ―  wùyǐlèijù  ―  birds of a feather flock together (lit. things will be gathered together according to category)

   • 禮法以時而定，制令各順其宜，兵甲器備各便其用。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]
     礼法以时而定，制令各顺其宜，兵甲器备各便其用。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]

     From: The Book of Lord Shang, circa 3^rd century BCE

     Lǐfǎ yǐ shí ér dìng, zhìlìng gè shùn qí yí, bīngjiǎ qìbèi gè biàn qí yòng. [Pinyin]

     As rites and laws were fixed in accordance with what was opportune, regulations and orders were all expedient, and weapons, armour, implements and equipment were all practical

4. so as to; in order to

   以正視聽／以正视听  ―  yǐzhèngshìtīng  ―  in order to ensure a correct understanding of the facts

   以防萬一／以防万一  ―  yǐfángwànyī  ―  just in case (literally, “to protect against a contingency”)

   市民對惡劣天氣要作出適當的預防措施，以減低可能引致的人命傷亡及財物損失。 [MSC, trad.]
   市民对恶劣天气要作出适当的预防措施，以减低可能引致的人命伤亡及财物损失。 [MSC, simp.]

   Shìmín duì èliè tiānqì yào zuòchū shìdāng de yùfáng cuòshī, yǐ jiǎndī kěnéng yǐnzhì de rénmìng shāngwáng jí cáiwù sǔnshī. [Pinyin]

   The public should take appropriate preventive measures against severe weather in order to minimize possible loss of life, injury and property damage.

5. because; because of

   勿以善小而不為／勿以善小而不为  ―  wù yǐ shàn xiǎo ér bù wéi  ―  do not fail to commit a good act just because it is small in scale.

   • 子曰：「君子不以言舉人，不以人廢言。」 [Classical Chinese, trad.]
     子曰：“君子不以言举人，不以人废言。” [Classical Chinese, simp.]

     From: The Analects of Confucius, c. 475 – 221 BCE, translated based on James Legge's version

     Zǐ yuē: “Jūnzǐ bù yǐ yán jǔ rén, bù yǐ rén fèi yán.” [Pinyin]

     The Master said, "The superior man does not promote a man simply on account of his words, nor does he put aside good words because of the man."

   • 不以物喜，不以己悲。 [Classical Chinese, trad. and simp.]

     From: 1046, 范仲淹 (Fan Zhongyan), 《岳陽樓記》

     Bù yǐ wù xǐ, bù yǐ jǐ bēi. [Pinyin]

     [The ancient sages] were not thrilled or depressed because of external objects and their experiences.

6. (literary) therefore; thus

   • 昔吾有先正，其言明且清，國家以寧，都邑以成，庶民以生。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]
     昔吾有先正，其言明且清，国家以宁，都邑以成，庶民以生。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]

     From: The Book of Rites, c. 4^th – 2^nd century BCE

     Xī wú yǒu xiānzhèng, qí yán míng qiě qīng, guójiā yǐ níng, dōuyì yǐ chéng, shùmín yǐ shēng. [Pinyin]

     Once we had that former premier, His words were wise and pure; The states and clans by him were (therefore) at rest, The chief cities and towns by him were (therefore) well regulated, All the people by him (therefore) enjoyed their life.

   • 不宜妄自菲薄，引喻失義，以塞忠諫之路也。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]
     不宜妄自菲薄，引喻失义，以塞忠谏之路也。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]

     From: 227, 諸葛亮 (Zhūgě Liàng) (Zhuge Liang), 出師表

     Bùyí wàngzìfěibó, yǐnyùshīyì, yǐ sè zhōngjiàn zhī lù yě. [Pinyin]

     (please add an English translation of this example)

7. to use

   • 我辭禮矣，彼則以之。猶有鬼神，於彼加之。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]
     我辞礼矣，彼则以之。犹有鬼神，于彼加之。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]

     From: Commentary of Zuo, c. 4^th century BCE, translation from Zuozhuan: Commentary on the "Spring and Autumn Annals" (2017), by Stephen Durrant, Wai-yee Li and David Schaberg

     Wǒ cí lǐ yǐ, bǐ zé yǐ zhī. Yóu yǒu guǐshén, yú bǐ jiā zhī. [Pinyin]

     We had already declined the ritual, but they used it nonetheless. If there are indeed ghosts and spirits, they will inflict the consequences on them.”

8. (literary) to consider as

   • 臣誠知不如徐公美，臣之妻私臣，臣之妾畏臣，臣之客欲有求於臣，皆以美於徐公。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]
     臣诚知不如徐公美，臣之妻私臣，臣之妾畏臣，臣之客欲有求于臣，皆以美于徐公。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]

     From: Zhanguo Ce, circa 5^th – 3^rd centuries BCE

     Chén chéng zhī bùrú Xú gōng měi, chén zhī qī sī chén, chén zhī qiè wèi chén, chén zhī kè yù yǒu qiú yú chén, jiē yǐ měi yú Xú gōng. [Pinyin]

     (please add an English translation of this example)

9. Short for 以色列 (Yǐsèliè, “Israel”).

   以巴衝突／以巴冲突  ―  Yǐ Bā chōngtū  ―  Israel-Palestinian conflict

10. a surname
11. (～母) (Chinese linguistics) the Middle Chinese initial of 以 (MC jɨ^X), equivalent to the 4th 等 (děng) of the initial 喻 (MC jɨo^H)

• “以”, in 漢語多功能字庫 (Multi-function Chinese Character Database)‎, 香港中文大學 (the Chinese University of Hong Kong), 2014–

(grade 4 “Kyōiku” kanji)

1. compared to
2. than
3. by means of
4. because
5. in view of
6. compared with

• Go-on: い (i, Jōyō)
• Kan-on: い (i, Jōyō)
• Kun: おもう (omō, 以う); ゆえに (yueni, 以に); もって (motte, 以て)

From Middle Chinese 以 (MC jɨ^X).

以(い) • (i-) 

1. from (this reference point) and (more)

   以(い)後(ご) ― igo ― from now on

   その以(い)後(ご) ― sono igo ― from then on; since then

   この日(ひ)以(い)後(ご) ― kono hi igo ― from this day on; ever since this day

   • 2008 March 15, “ジャンク・ウォリアー [Junk Warrior]”, in STARTER(スターター) DECK(デッキ), Konami:

     「ジャンク・シンクロン」＋チューナー以(い)外(がい)のモンスター１(いっ)体(たい)以(い)上(じょう)

     “Janku Shinkuron” purasu Chūnā igai no monsutā ittai ijō

     “Junk Synchron” plus 1 or more non-Tuner monsters

   • 2017 March 25, “リンク・スパイダー [Link Spider]”, in STARTER(スターター) DECK(デッキ), Konami:

     通(つう)常(じょう)モンスター１(いっ)体(たい)
     ①(いち)：１(いっ)ターンに１(いち)度(ど)、自(じ)分(ぶん)メインフェイズに発(はつ)動(どう)できる。手(て)札(ふだ)からレベル４(よん)以(い)下(か)の通(つう)常(じょう)モンスター１(いっ)体(たい)をこのカードのリンク先(さき)に特(とく)殊(しゅ)召(しょう)喚(かん)する。

     Tsūjō Monsutā ittai
     Ichi: Ittān ni ichi-do, jibun Mein Feizu ni hatsudō dekiru. tefuda kara Reberu yon ika no Tsūjō Monsutā ittai o kono kādo no rinku-saki ni Tokushu Shōkan suru.

     1 or more Normal Monsters
     1: Once per turn, can be activated during your Main Phase. Special Summons 1 Normal Monster of Level 4 or lower from your hand to where this card is linked to.

2. by, with, by means of

   Synonym: …をもって (… o motte)

• An expression prefixed with 以 means "from this reference point, and more". It can only be translated upon contexts. The reference point can be understood as "now", "here", "this", or aforementioned.
  • 以(い)上(じょう) (ijō): "or more/higher/above"; literally "from this point, and anything more/higher/above"
  • 以(い)下(か) (ika): "or less/lower/below"; literally "from this point, and anything less/lower/below"
  • 以(い)内(ない) (inai): "within"; literally "from this range, and anything within"
  • 以(い)外(がい) (igai): "outside, other than"; literally "from this range, and anything outside"
  • 以(い)前(ぜん) (izen): "ago"; literally "from this point, and anything before"
  • 以(い)後(ご) (igo): "later; ever since"; literally "from this point, and anything later"

以 (eumhun 써 이 (sseo i))

1. Hanja form^? of 이 (“compared to”).
2. Hanja form^? of 이 (“than”).
3. Hanja form^? of 이 (“by means of”).
4. Hanja form^? of 이 (“because”).
5. Hanja form^? of 이 (“in view of”).
6. Hanja form^? of 이 (“compared with”).

• 이전 (以前, ijeon, “before”)
• 이후 (以後, ihu, “after”)
• 이상 (以上, isang, “above; over”)
• 이하 (以下, iha, “below; under”)

以: Hán Nôm readings: dĩ

1. This term needs a translation to English. Please help out and add a translation, then remove the text {{rfdef}}.

• Vietnamese Nôm Preservation Foundation